A 61 year old man has been jailed for 18 years for regularly sexually assaulting his eldest daughter. From the age of just three she was regularly sexually assaulted by her father John Murphy.
Murphy with an address in Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin but formerly of Foxford, Co. Mayo pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 15 counts of sexual assault on his daughter.
His daughter Sophia, who is now 33, said her father had robbed her of every human right and her innocence. Seventy other counts of sexual assault were taken into account in the sentencing.
He pleaded guilty to the sexual assault and rape of his eldest daughter between 1988 and 2010. The former member of the Defence Forces is already in jail serving an eight year sentence for sexual abuse involving Ms Murphy’s two younger sisters.
In a moving victim impact statement which she read out to the court, she said that this was her only chance to to tell him how much he destroyed her life, for his ‘own sick pleasure’.
The Judge described her as a ‘very dignified person’ who had overcome a horrific experience. Sophia who is now 33, and waived her right to anonymity and said her father had robbed her of every human right and her innocence.
Speaking outside court, Sophia said she hopes it sends out a message to other victims to find their voice and get their voice back.
“I am satisfied with the sentence, and I hope it sends out a message to people who abuse kids, and sends out a message to victims to find their voice and take their voice back”.
She said “it was the best thing I ever done, was coming forward and telling the truth”.
If you have been affected by any of the issue raised in this article you can contact the Rape Crisis Centre on their 24 Hour Helpline on 1800 778888 or visit www.rapecrisishelp.ie
